KEMPTON PARK — A woman's body was found on Tuesday in the Kwa-Thema area, approximately 34 kilometers from Kempton Park. Police stated the victim found in Kwa-Thema was fully naked and in an advanced stage of decomposition.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe addressed the ongoing inquiry regarding the cluster of fatalities. "While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations," Mathe said.

Moselakgomo was 38 years old. Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm about her disappearance. Relatives identified Elizabeth Moselakgomo's body on Monday.

Only two of the seven women have been identified so far. One arrest has been made in connection with the discovery of the first body, and the suspect remains in police custody.

President Cyril Ramaphosa directed police authorities to prioritize the ongoing murder investigations. "I have directed that these cases be prioritized and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. Our law enforcement agencies are undertaking this work in partnership with citizens, on whom we depend for any information that may help end these attacks on women," Ramaphosa said.

The Gauteng Department of Health is assisting SAPS with forensic pathology services, including DNA analysis, to support the identification of the remaining victims. Maj-Gen Fred Kekana stated that a body of a female in her late 20s was observed in a river next to a mall on September 7.

Why It Matters

The investigation occurs against a backdrop of high violent crime rates in the country. South Africa recorded 5,427 murders between April and July, averaging 45 per day. According to UN Women, the rate at which women are killed in South Africa is five times higher than the global average.

Historical data indicates persistent issues with gender-based violence. A 2022 study found that more than 35% of South African adult women had experienced physical or sexual violence. A 2024 study revealed that three women were killed every day by an intimate partner in South Africa from 2020 to 2021.

Timeline

On September 7, Maj-Gen Fred Kekana stated that a body of a female in her late 20s was observed in a river next to a mall. The body of Elizabeth Moselakgomo was found half-naked in Kempton Park on Saturday after she went missing while jogging the previous week.

A body was found in Olifantsontein on Monday. A woman's body was found on Tuesday in the Kwa-Thema area.

What's New

Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia said, "While the investigation must establish whether these cases are linked, the possibility that a perpetrator or perpetrators may be targeting women demands our urgent and determined attention." The sixth body of a woman was found dumped on the side of the road in KwaThema, Springs, on Tuesday morning. This is in the same metropole east of Johannesburg but is about 45km from Kempton Park. Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia stated that a multidisciplinary investigation has been established to examine possible links between the cases.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific details regarding the context of violence in South Africa. The South African Police Services investigation notice states that the South African Police Services is investigating the deaths of seven women found in and around Kempton Park over the past two months.